In a touching story of ‘Giving Back’, Save A Lot has installed a Defibrillator and its managers were trained in CPR as well.
“This is a great opportunity for expanding the safety of our customers and of our staff”, says Woody, (Store Manager) “but the REAL story is how it all came about. I was at a meeting with Stephanie Barnett, the founder of the nonprofit Choosewell. Stephanie asked if I would meet with a friend who was on a mission of her own. Enter Karen Sheets-Mobley. Karen is a local Social Worker who remains passionate about her mission to help a variety of people in this community.”
This is her story: On December 11, 2023 Karen’s husband, Trey, was at the gym working out on the treadmill when he suffered a sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest. Fortunately, the gym had an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on site and staff that were trained in its use. Additionally, they were trained in administering CPR. The combination of those things was responsible for saving his life. Subsequently, he had 6 stints inserted and is up and doing fantastic these days.
Karen began to do research and found that more than 356,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States every year, and about 60% to 80% die before reaching the hospital. Research indicates that the chance of survival increases 50% to 70% if an AED is used in the first 5 minutes of the onset of the cardiac arrest.
Not content to just be grateful and get back to living life, Karen started a Go Fund-Me page with the goal of raising enough money to buy defibrillators, have them installed around the city and train the staff to use them and how to give CPR.
She brought the opportunity to participate in this program to us here at the Portland Save A Lot.
“My first thought”, said Woody, “was how incredibly inspiring it is to see someone take a crisis event and turn it into the mission of helping save countless additional lives. I was an easy sell, but I still had to bring the idea to my management team and see who was willing to participate and who would prefer not to do so. It was truly heartwarming to see that every single member of our staff was not only willing, but very eager to learn these life-saving skills.
Karen would like to invite people to email her if they would like training in AED/CPR. She is continuing to look for places in the Portland, Russell and West End areas that can’t afford an AED. A business, gym or a Church would be great. ( karenesheets@gmail.com )
Karen, Woody and the staff feel that all of this will be accomplished by March 1st! Portland Save A Lot continues to be more than just a local Grocery Store with great service and prices. Save A Lot is truly a great Neighbor, providing donations to local charities, sitting on the boards of local non-profits, hosting the annual Coat Give Aways on Black Friday and continuing to show how much they care about their community by installing this life-saving equipment and being trained to use it safely and professionally.
